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EAST LANSING — Michigan State running back Connor Heyward had been waiting patiently to see the field.

Heyward, a 6-foot, 219-pound true freshman from Duluth, Ga., had seen limited action on the field during kickoffs, but finally got his number called to the field in last Saturday’s 14-10 win over then-No. 7 Michigan at the Big House.

Albeit for one play — a two-yard reception off a short pass from Brian Lewerke on third down that fell a yard short of a first down early in the fourth quarter — it was a moment Heyward said he’d remember for a long time.

“The atmosphere was crazy,” Heyward, the product of Peachtree Ridge High School, said after the team’s practice Tuesday. “You can’t describe anything like it. Being from Georgia, I didn’t know what to expect. I stepped in, and even just staying over the night in the hotel you got the vibe, and the seriousness and how much it means to own the state.”

As the Spartans’ season continues to move on, wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator Terrence Samuel said Heyward could become a utility man for MSU.

The multitool-player-turned-running back played Wildcat quarterback, receiver, tailback, safety and punter in high school. During summer camp, Heyward was getting reps with defense as well as offense.

With a skillset as wide as Heyward’s, Samuel said Heyward reminds him of former MSU receiver RJ Shelton.

Samuel thinks it’s just a matter of time before Heyward’s number is called on more often.

“That guy can do anything,” Samuel said. “He can play defense, he can play — he can do anything. If need be, he could play at the wide receiver position. I just want Coach Warner to call his number so he does get to touch the ball,” Samuel said.

Fellow tailback Madre London agreed with Samuel and thinks Heyward may have the best receiving abilities on the team.

“He’s got the best hands on the team,” London said. “He’s got routes and coming from a running back standpoint, if you’re a running back they don’t really feel like you can catch the ball as much or run a route as much. He already looks like he’s played wide receiver his whole life.

“He’s going to be a good player for us in the long run and he’s gonna be making plays for us this year also.”

Depth at both the running back and receiving corps, however, have limited Heyward’s role on offense. Other teammates agree he’ll be a hot commodity for MSU in the future.

“He’s a very athletic guy,” quarterback Brian Lewerke said. “You can put him at almost any position. I think we have a deep running back corp, but it’s a good element that we’ll be able to use this season.”

Listed as the fourth-string running back, Heyward sits behind LJ Scott, Gerald Holmes, and Madre London — all upperclassmen — on the depth chart. Barring injury to the other tailbacks, Heyward knows his time on the field may be limited.

But he’s perfectly content with waiting his place in line.

“I think I fit in with the offense differently,” Heyward said. “Like the running backs, I can spread out. I’m like the other running backs. I’m a pretty big running back like LJ (Scott), G (Gerald Holmes) and Madre (London). I think we all are good running backs.

“Those are three great backs in front of me. I don’t want to be patient, but it’s not my turn — which I’m totally fine with — but when I do get in, I know I have to make the best of it.”

Scott did not play against U-M but could have played according to coach Mark Dantonio. Holmes exited the game early with a minor ankle injury but returned. Their status for Saturday's game at Minnesota (8 p.m, BTN) is still unclear.

Though depth probably isn't in question against the Golden Gophers, London said he knows Heyward will continue to improve in practice and that playing time is coming Heyward’s way.

“You can’t go into games thinking ‘I have to wait my turn,’” London said. “Anything can happen as far as that, so as long as he keeps pressing the edge, keeps going to practice hard, and getting better every day and not losing a beat. If a time does come this season, he should look like one of us also.”